Arch-supporting shoe



Feb.. 17. 1925.

J. RAKONICK ARCH SUPPORTING SHOE Filed Aug. 1l, 1924 Patented Feb. 17, 1925,

JOSEPH momen, or sT. LOUIS, MISSOURI,

ARCHSUPPQRTING SHOE.

Application led August 11, 1924. Serial No. 731,481.-

. To all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH RAKQNICK,

a citizen of the.United States, residing atl St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arch-Supporting Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in shoe constructions, and particularly to a shoe having a built-in arch supporting structure.Y

The invention compreheuds the provision of a built-in arch supporting structure in a shoe, so that the manufacturer of a shoe may build theA standard shoe sizes for a retail dealer, for supply to the trade, having an arch supportingstructure therein, which, in its manufactured form, as deliveredto the retail dealer, will be of a substantially reinforced 'construction throughout the arch portion of the shoe and will be provided with a permanent arch supporting strip secured to the insole of a shoe, and of a construction so as'to provide a primary support for the main -arch of the foot, when the shoe is being worn. This strip in providing a main arch support is of such a character that it is of the proper height or thickness for providing the proper curvature and support for an arch of minimum height or curvature. As the normal arches of the feet vary indifferent people ofthe persons foot.

in the heightnand degree of curvature, both longitudinally and transversely ofthe foot, itis substantially impossible -to manufacture -shoes having an arch support incorjporated therein in the standard sizes, whichl will he adapted for properly supporting,.

' in the normal and proper relation, the particular arch-of the person purchasing the shoe or shoes. It has been found, however, that the shoes may be constructed -with a permanent or main arch support as an integral part of the shoe, having a minimum dimension for providing a primary arch support. It has also ybeen found that this primary integral .arch support, constructed 1n a shoe, also serves to. provide the-first step for treating flat feet and broken arches, in order to restore the proper normal arch The invention therefore comprehends the l provision of a main and primary arch sup- `port adapted to be constructed in a shoe,

in the making thereof, in standard sizes for the trade, in such a manner that a pocket will be provided between the strip and the top side of the insole, so that supplementary arch supporting inserts may be inserted on top of the inner sole and beneath the strip forming the primary arch support for raising the height of the support in the shoe and for varying the curvature both longitudinally and transversely thereof, in order to adapt it to support the higher normal arches of particular types of feet, and also for providing peculiar adjustments thereof A,to fit the abnormal types of feet.

With the above `considerations in View, the invention also comprehends the provision of a built-in arch support in a shoe wherein the inner sole of the shoe is provided with an extension on the inner side thereof, extending throughout the length of the arch portion or shank of the shoe, and a ,primary or main arch supporting strip secured to the inner sole at the forward and rear ends thereof and extending transversely across the insole throughout the width thereof and overlying the extension thereon, and providing a pocket on top of the insole open at the sides, and adapted to receive supplementary arch supporting inserts, said strips 'having the central portion of substantial thickness,` and having a gradually reduced thickness toward the free edges ofy the same, in order to provide a primary arch support of minimum height and curvature.

The invention also includes other objects and improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts, which are more particularly `pointed out in the following description and claims directed to a preferred form of the invention, it being understood, however, that various changes may be made in thespecific construction and arrangement of these parts without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention 4as described and claimed.

' In the drawing, forming a part of this application,

Figure l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, through a shoe constructed according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the shank or arch portion of the shoe taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail perspective f view of thc inner sole ofthe shoe and the primary arch supporting strip attached thereto.

In the shoe construction illustrated in the drawing, 1 indicates the outer sole, 2 the upper, and 3 the inner sole, all united in any desired and lwell-known manner now used/in the art, in the construction of the shoe.

In the construction of the shoe according to this` invention,.the insole 3 is formed with an extension 4, on the inside of the arched portion thereof, which is adapted to extend upwardly and lie against the inside of the upper of the shoe as clearly illustrated in Figures land 2,-the extension being shaped on a last during the construction of the shoe, and the application of the upper and outer ksole in the usual and well known manner.

The outerv edge of the extension 4Lv is of substantially the arcuate curvature illustrated in Figures' 1 and 3, and is of gradually de creasing thickness toward the free edge portion and terminates in a feather edge as indicated at 5, A main or primary arch support is provided in the shoe in the-form of a strip 6, which is positioned in the central portion of the shoe over the arch or shank portion and whiclr extends transversely across the top portion of the inner sole/and overlies the extension 4: thereon.

This strip is secured to the inner sole along lthe forward and rear edges as indicatcd at 7, by which it is incorporated as a permanent part of the shoe. The strip has a major' thickness in its central portion as indicated at 8, and from which it is of grad' ually reducing thickness tothe -free' edges,

as clearly illustra-ted in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings The portion overlying the extension 4 terminates in a feather edge 9, so that the surface of the same will comfortably lit the contour of the foot of the wearer. From an inspection ofcFigures 1 and 2, it

will be seen that this portion 8, of major1 thickness, lies along the transverse center line of the strip and the shoe, and 4that it is disposed at one side of the inner sole of the shoe, as clearly shown in -Figure 2, so that it will be positioned in the proper location, forgiving the proper contour to the inner surface of the shoe, so that it will have the l proper contour of the normally low arch, which is characteristic of some feet. This strip 6 forms a pocket, in cooperation with the 'insole 3 on the bottom thereof, which 'is open at both sides of the shoe, and which is adapted to receive supplemental arch supporting inserts 9, which it may be found desirable to use, in connection wvith persons wearing shoes construct-edL in\ accordance with this invention, whereinthey have the vnormally high type of arch in their feet.

It will be seen that in providing a pocket which 1s open at both sides, insertions may reaches be made on top of the insole within `the pocket, for raising the arch portion on the the entire 'Width of the linsole Vand the extension formed thereon.

ln the making of shoes accordingto this invention, the primary arch supporting strip v primary arch supporting strip throughout in which case the strip 6 provides the/proper support, or whether he may have some abp-rting inserts, such as those indicated at 9 are placed "in the pocket formed on top of the inner sole, in order to give the proper .height and contour to the strip 6 for adapt- .normal form of arch or a higher type of- `arcl1,"in which case supplementary arch suparches or is flatfooted, the arch supporting strip 6 forms the first step inthe treatment to'be accorded to the purchaser for restoring the arches to the proper form and contour, so that he is so-ld a pair of shoes which merely have the main arch supporting strip therein, so that the arches will be slightly raised to the position of the normal minimum low arch, during whichtime the arch will be returned toward its normal state, in

order that the bones of theA feet may be gradually replaced to their normal position w1thout undue discomfort to the wearer,

following which a further treatment -isv given the customer for restoring his arches to their normal state lby placing supplemental arch supporting inserts 1u the pocket formed pn topof the insole by the strip 6, which vmay be of any desired shape and thickness o r number, in order to produce the support for the archof thefoot, of the customer, at the proper place, in order that his arches may be restored to their normal and properform. l

It' will thus be seen'. that`tl'1epresent i11-v vention provides an improved construction in shoes, wherein an arch support is incorporated in thev structure of the shoe, whichis adjustable, and which may be made in the usual standard sizes of shoes', so.` that the proper compensation can be madein the arch supporting structure to"a dapt it to the varying types of ar'ches of theY .purchasers of such shoes, which 'can be ej'ected at the time of sale of the shoes to a purchaser, and which will not only correct faulty arches and restore them to their normal shape, but which will also prevent falling arches or other forms of defective feet now generally known to science.

What is claimed is:

l. A shoe having a. built-in adjustable arc-h support comprising an outer sole, an inner sole,v and an upper secured together in associated shoe forming relation, said inner sole having an extension on the inner side thereof throughout the arched portion of the shoe extending upwardly along the inside of the upper for reinforcing the arch of the shoe, and an arch supporting strip superimposed on the inner sole transversely thereof over the arch portion of the sole and the extension thereon, said strip being secured to said inner sole at the forward and. rear edges and forming a pocket on top of the inner sole throughout the arched portion and open at both sides of the shoe to adapt it to receive supplemental arch supporting inserts on top of said inner sole and extension.

2. A shoe having a built in adjustable arch support comprising an outer sole, an inner sole, and an upper secured together in associated shoe forming relation, said inner sole having an extension on the inner side thereof throughout the arch portion of the Shoe extending upwardly along the inside of the upper for reinforcing the arch of the shoe and forming a base for the arch supporting structure, and an arch supporting strip superposed on the inner sole transversely over the arched portion thereof and the extension on said sole, said strip being secured to said inner sole at the forward and rear edges and forming a pocket on top of the inner sole throughout the arch portion of the shoe open at the side and adapted to receive supplemental arch-supporting inserts on top of said inner soleand extensions. said strip being further formed of substantial thickness along the transverseV center line thereof and in the central portion, and of gradually decreasing thickness toward the free edgesof the strip ter1ninating at said edges in a feather edge.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

JOSEPH RAKONICK. 

